WSA Winter Meeting 2026

I grew up in California and completed my undergraduate studies at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Child Development and minors in psychology and oddly enough, religious studies! During my time in college I worked as a Preschool Teacher and as an Bilingual Adminstrative Specialist at a nonprofit community counseling center. Soon after I graduated I moved to Seattle to complete my Master’s in Education Policy. I always knew I wanted to be involved in early learning spaces, but still felt a little lost so I participated in the Pathwaves WA Fellowship program for leaders of color entering the early learning field in WA. Through my fellowship I got matched with WSA and got hired on after my fellowship. I am a strong believer in the power of parents and teachers and my passion comes directly from the communities I get the privledge to share space with. During my free time I like to watch Love is Blind and Vanderpump Rules #TeamAriana

Sonja was a Parent Ambassador in Year 3 (2011) and a mentor in Year 4 (2012). In Year 5 (2013) she became a Parent Coordinator. Sonja says “I have been with the program for 9 amazing years and would not be where I am today without the Parent Ambassador program. My favorite part of staffing the program is helping parents find their voice and realizing they are worthy and they do matter. When parents realize they can make a difference they start being seen as a role model and the “go to” person. I also feel an important aspect of the yearlong Parent Ambassador program is the sense of being a part of a family and being part of something bigger then themselves.” Sonja lives on a small farm in Tacoma and has 2 children, Randi, 23 and Danner, 13 who have both gone through the Head Start program. Sonja has been involved with the PTA in the Franklin Pierce School District for the last 13 years, been the assistant coach for baseball and basketball for over 10 years and has been volunteering at her local food bank for the last 5 years. She enjoys hunting, fishing, camping and traveling, especially to sunny locations. She graduated from Puyallup High School and has a double Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology and Zoology from the University of Washington.

Bassie Whipple, MHP, LSWAIC

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the owner of Bassie Counseling and Consulting, where I provide trauma-informed, person-centered care to individuals and families. In addition to private practice, I serve as a School-Based Mental Health Specialist at North Thurston Public Schools, supporting students and families with accessible, affirming mental health services.

 

With lived experience as an immigrant, veteran, and mother of three, I bring both professional expertise and deep compassion to my work. My own healing journey through complex PTSD inspires me to create a safe, supportive space where individuals and families can heal, grow, and thrive.

 

I specialize in trauma-informed, culturally responsive therapy, with a focus on life transitions, cultural identity, parenting, and strengthening family bonds. As a bilingual therapist (English, Fanti, Twi), I am committed to expanding access to care by serving diverse communities in their preferred languages.

 

I am especially passionate about advocating for accessible, high-quality mental health care within Black and African American communities to help break down stigma and foster resilience. My therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, authenticity, and cultural humility, ensuring that each client feels heard, valued, and empowered.

 

Outside of my professional work, I enjoy traveling, being in nature, practicing mindfulness meditation, trying new cuisines, and spending quality time with my three children.

 

 

 

 

 

&nbs

Mirella Sanchez is a dedicated second-generation Latina with a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is working on her Clinical Licensure. Her passion lies in empowering youth and families through compassionate, trauma informed-care. With over a decade of experience in the field, she has worked as a Substance Use Disorder Professional, specifically focusing on supporting youth. She then moved on to the Department of Children, Youth and Families, where she helped children and families navigate complex systems and overcome challenges. 

 

Currently, Mirella Sanchez is a therapist for youth in Thurston County, where she helps them heal from trauma, build resilience, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Her work is deeply rooted in cultural understanding, as she brings personal and professional insight to her practice, working from a place of empty, connection and advocacy for marginalized communities.

 

 

 

Melissa Johnson is a lobbyist focusing on health care, education and human services issues.  Prior to joining Bogard & Johnson, Melissa was staff with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Washington State House of Representatives.  She also practiced law in the Seattle area.  Melissa graduated with distinction from the University of Washington with a BA in Political Science.  She received her law degree from American University in Washington, DC.

Melissa has been recognized for her advocacy efforts throughout her career, including receiving the Physical Therapy Association of Washington's "Friend of Physical Therapy" award and a special recognition award from the Washington Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

 

Benjamin Schmauss MPH, M.S.,, is the National Senior Advocacy Consultant for Voices for Health Kids, where he leads the early care and education portfolio and consultation efforts for the initiative.

Previously, Ben served as the Government Relations Director and Lead Lobbyist for the American Heart Association in Nevada. Prior to that, he worked for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s as the Healthy Schools Program Manager. Ben started his career as a health and physical education teacher.

He earned his undergraduate and Masters of Public Health Degree’s from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and also has a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Learning, specializing in Brain Research from Nova South Eastern University. Ben is a avid learner and teacher with a growth mindset.

When Ben is not at work, he loves spending time with his wife and three kids playing or coaching sports or adventuring in Alaska where he was born and raised. Ben currently lives in Eastern Washington State. 

Raishawn Swensen is a passionate advocate, mother, and early childhood leader rooted in community and justice. As a Public Policy Fellow, Raishawn brings lived experience and deep dedication to advancing equitable policies for children, families, and early educators. Her journey into early childhood education began when she became a mother and sought safe, nurturing, and affordable learning spaces for her own children. What started as a personal need quickly transformed into a professional calling.

Raishawn has worked hands-on in early learning settings, led community-centered advocacy efforts, and supported initiatives that amplify the voices of those most impacted by systemic inequities. Her policy work is informed by her experience as a homeschooling parent, educator, and organizer committed to uplifting families who are often left out of decision-making spaces.

Through her fellowship, Raishawn aims to co-create solutions that dismantle barriers to access, promote racial and economic justice, and ensure that early care and education systems are built with not just for communities.

I've been the Executive Director of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP for the past 15 years. I've worked on everything from state funded preschool, special education policy, child care, housing, food insecurity, and most recently supporting families during COVID. I'm probably most proud of my work last legislative session where I successfully advocated with lawmakers, the Governor, and coalition partners to secure more than $400 million in new investments in early learning through the passage of the Fair Start for Kids Act. Before coming to Washington State I was the Government Affairs Director at the National Head Start Association where I served as the Head Start community's voice in DC. I worked closely with members of Congress and the White House. I travelled all across the country and had the opportunity to teach grassroots organizing to low income communities which I really enjoyed. I have a law degree from American University in DC where I focused on constitutional law and a BA degree from Brandeis University in History and Politics. I'm an Americorps alumni—serving as a City Year Corps member in Boston where I was a literacy coach and helped to set up a community wide volunteer program and educational spring break camps. My most important job is that of a husband and dad to a 15 year old. I coached her basketball team for 7 years and have coached track as well.

Katy Warren has been working at WSA Head Start and ECEAP for 15 years after wandering the world in her 20’s. After college at William and Mary she served as legislative assistant and Press Secretary for Rep. Sid Morrison, (R, Zillah) and then went travelling off to central and South America. She has worked as a cafeteria dishwasher, a public engagement consultant, an insurance adjuster assistant, a database developer and quasi-interpreter for a weatherization program, a waitress in a pancake house, a census taker, a focus group facilitator, an English as a Second Language teacher in Vietnam, a bookkeeper back when they wrote things on ledgers, a title company clerk, and a Spanish drill instructor. She loves to travel and have been to 34 countries and has lived in Mexico, Spain and Vietnam. Now she tries to make the world a better place for children and families by hassling elected officials and bureaucrats. She writes children’s books for her niece Eliza, who is also the person upon whom she experiments with all the CLASS instructional support strategies she learns while walking through the trainings she arranges for early learning staff.